What Will Happen to R22 and How it Affects You

Published on May 17, 2016

Updated: June 14, 2018 If your air conditioner was installed before 2010 and you don’t know what R22 is then you should probably read up. R22 refrigerant is a chemical that keeps the air coming from your air conditioning system cool, so it’s certainly incredibly important. Most air conditioning units older than 10 years use an AC refrigerant called R22 that’s commonly known as Freon*, and is referred to by the EPA as HCFC-22. In this guide, we’ll use the name R22. This refrigerant was introduced in the 1950s and became the predominant AC refrigerant in the residential heating and cooling industry.

The Montreal Protocol

Several decades later the world realized that R22 refrigerant was aiding in the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer. Not a great thing. So, the U.S. EPA, in cooperation with other agencies and groups around the world, began a phase out of several ozone-depleting agents as part of an international agreement known as the Montreal Protocol. The regulation lists many HCFCs and CFCs (different types of refrigerants that deplete the ozone layer), but R22 is recognized as one of the worst offenders.

Timeline and R22 phase out progress in 2018

In 2003, the phase out of R22 production and imports launched. By early 2010 the production and import of R22 became prohibited. However, servicing current, existing equipment is still allowed if there is an available supply of R22. To ensure the public’s compliance with the new law, all sales of R22 must be purchased by a certified technician. R22 production and import will be continually reduced by law until 2020, when all production and import will be forbidden. Only recycled R22 refrigerant will be obtainable to service existing air conditioners after 2020.

The graph above shows the EPA’s consumption allowance of R22 by percentage. The limits on R22 consumption were implemented in 2010 and follow a declining trend until 2020.

So how does this affect prices?

If this sounds like a case study on supply and demand, then you are correct. As you likely understand, older air conditioners more often have leaks and need repairs. Any air conditioners that are older than 2010 are more likely to use R22, which means there’s a lot more demand for it, and a restricted supply. Prices have only increased due to scarcity.

Recall that in order to obtain R22, you’ll need to be an EPA-certified technician. So, the normal homeowner isn’t able to purchase a cylinder themselves. Also, there are some stern regulations now on how refrigerant should be reclaimed and recycled, which adds to the cost. This cost is passed on to the homeowner as companies have to cover the increased overhead connected to R22 repairs. There are requirements for importing, labeling, record keeping, reporting, destruction and reclaiming of R22 from existing units.

So, how does this impact you?

The cost of R22 is radically increasing because of the diminishing supply, and new refrigerant will no longer be available for use at all after 2020, excluding recycled quantities.

If you’re thinking, “Holy cow, this is starting to sound expensive,” you’re spot-on, it is. This is why when our experts come out to inspect your unit we look to see what refrigerant your unit uses, and in the majority of the cases, we’ll advise an upgrade because of the increasing cost of sustaining an R22 air conditioner.

How do I know if my unit uses R22?

If you have an air conditioning system that was built before 2010, your AC will typically have R22. However, if you installed your air conditioner after January 1, 2010, then your unit may not have R22. You can see the type of refrigerant your system runs on by looking at the appliance’s nameplate. This nameplate is typically found on the outdoor condenser of your central air conditioning system. If you don’t find it, you can grab your user’s manual. Otherwise, you can call your local Service Experts center. If you have a maintenance agreement with us, we also have your information on hand and a tech can let you know right away if your unit uses R22.

Instead of Freon, use Puron

The industry has moved from R22 to R410a, which you may identify by the brand name Puron. For the rest of this article, we’ll use the name R410a (although Puron is a well-known brand, there are other companies that make R410a). There are some key benefits to switching from an R22 air conditioning unit to one that uses R410a. It offers a higher safety rating and an ozone depletion rating of zero, and it performed slightly better on energy-efficiency tests than R22.

The truth about “drop-ins” is that there is no “drop-in” solution where you simply swap out the refrigerant.

You may have heard information about “drop-in” replacements for R22. We strongly against against this choice. Normally a homeowner who is anxious about the cost of replacing their air conditioner seeks out an alternative, and this appears to be an easy solution. It typically costs the homeowner more money, and nearly always voids the manufacturer warranty. The truth about “drop-ins” is that there is no “drop-in” solution where you just swap out the refrigerant. The phrase “drop-in” is referring to retrofitting a unit, which when done properly can cost the homeowner as much, or more, money than purchasing a new unit that uses R410a. In part, this is because different refrigerants function at different pressure levels and require different parts to run, which results in the technician needing to replace the most expensive components of your system to fit with the new refrigerant. If this critical step is skipped, your system will quickly stop working, and you’ll be forced to install a new unit anyway.

Your manufacturer will probably not pay for the parts to make this swap because retrofitting your AC system will likely void the warranty. It’s usually just a temporary fix, but shopping for a new upgraded AC system will probably benefit most homeowners in dependability, satisfaction, and long-term comfort.

It’s better to discuss pricing choices with your HVAC provider if you’re worried about cost. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we provide financing plans that make a replacement achieveable, and we keep track of any manufacturer and utility rebates that would make it easier to handle an unexpected replacement. To avoid emergencies on a hot day, many of our customers decide to do a pre-emptive replacement, and replace an old unit before it quits working. If you’re of a similar mind, then you’re in good company!

If your unit was built after 2010, you’re probably safe

If your heating and air conditioning system was built after January 2010, the R22 phase out challenge may not apply to you, because it’s likely that your system uses the new, approved replacement refrigerant, R410a. However, systems installed after 2010 could still use R22, so it’s best to check with an HVAC Expert. You can always look for and the refrigerant type by reviewing the nameplate on your condenser (the condenser is the outside unit).

What do I do if my air conditioner uses R22?

To review, if your HVAC equipment was produced prior to January 2010, especially if it’s older than a decade, you have some options:

Purchase an upgraded, more environmentally-friendly system that uses R410a.

Call an expert to replace the parts in your current air conditioner to help make it compatible with an approved air conditioner refrigerant. This is not what we recommend.

Keep using recycled R22 and burn money like it’s the ozone layer.

To be clear, the EPA regulates the production and use of this refrigerant, but not your unit. You aren’t required by law to replace your air conditioner. At some point, your AC will not work and it will need to be replaced, and only R410a units will be available to purchase.

The best option is to get a new, upgraded air conditioner, specifically if your current air conditioner is already more than 10 years old. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning has several financing options that help to meet your budget, and again, we look out for rebates from HVAC manufacturers and local utilities to make it even easier. New AC equipment is more efficient and present you superior comfort, helping to lower your energy costs.

Take Advantage We do have one more option available in select locations. To provide our customers with high-quality equipment and service at competitive rates, we started the Advantage Program, which is a worry-free program that provides HVAC equipment with a full coverage repair and maintenance plan for a low monthly price.

You could also select the status quo and continue using recycled R22 air conditioning refrigerant for the time being. While this sounds like a nice alternative, the cost of servicing old R22 A/C systems is starting to go over several hundred dollars (easily a down payment on a new system). You may also see the prices climb as demand continues to rise on a substance that is no longer produced or widely available.

If you aren’t aware of what type of AC refrigerant your air conditioning system uses, we can help. Contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today and we can provide an inspection to determine if you are currently using R22 and, if so, which option works best for you.

The good news

While making the move to an approved AC refrigerant may stressful, it’s helping to save the ozone layer. These regulations will help guard the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere, which helps block radiation from the sun and prevents serious illnesses, such as skin cancer. It’s not far-fetched to say that you, as a homeowner, are a large part of this by replacing an old R22 unit with a newer, ozone friendly unit.

If you have any questions, please reach us for a free, in-home consultation by filling out the form below.

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